Portable computing, communication and entertainment device with central processor carried in a detachable handset

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates in general to portable processor based devices that provide computing, communication or entertainment functionality. More particularly, the present invention pertains to portable processor based devices operable while being held in its user&#39;s hand and providing communications, organizer and/or entertainment functions, such as cellular telephones, palm-sized organizers, and MP3 players, and to portable processor based devices providing general computing capabilities, such as laptop or handheld personal computers (PCs). More specifically, the present invention relates to systems that detachably mate a plurality of portable processor based devices to provide their combined functionality in an integrated structure.

REFERENCE TO COPENDING APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/719,290 filed Dec. 7, 2000, hereby incorporated by reference. Thisapplication also claims the benefit of PCT/US00/09188 filed Apr. 7, 2000and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/128,138 filed Apr. 7, 1999,hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates in general to portable processor baseddevices that provide computing, communication or entertainmentfunctionality. More particularly, the present invention pertains toportable processor based devices operable while being held in its user'shand and providing communications, organizer and/or entertainmentfunctions, such as cellular telephones, palm-sized organizers, and MP3players, and to portable processor based devices providing generalcomputing capabilities, such as laptop or handheld personal computers(PCs). More specifically, the present invention relates to systems thatdetachably mate a plurality of portable processor based devices toprovide their combined functionality in an integrated structure.

BACKGROUND ART

To address consumers' portable computing, mobile communications, andportable entertainment needs, a variety of portable devices have beendeveloped. The distinctly differing requirements of each application hasmade it too costly and unwieldy for such devices to fulfil more than onetype, or two closely related types of need.

For example, smart cell phones are devices that combine the capabilitiesof cell phones and electronic organizers. Typical of such devices arethe Model PDQ-800 from Qualcomm, Incorporated of San Diego, Calif., andthe Model R380 from Ericsson, Incorporated of Richardson, Tex. Theseproducts perform quite well as handheld computing and communicationdevices by allowing the user to access the Internet for email, stockquote, etc., while preserving their use as simple wireless phone units.However, in order to allow handheld grasping these units had to be keptsmall, thereby limiting their display to a size that is too small forpractical use in conventional computing such as Web browsing, wordprocessing, etc. Also, to keep the cost of such devices low, theirdesigners employed central processors that have just enough power tocarry out smart phone functions, and not enough power to handle generalcomputing requirements.

Recently Motorola, Inc. of Schaumburg, Ill. has begun to sell its clipOnOrganizer as an attachment to its StarTAC cellular telephone and provideit with smart phone functionality. The clipOn Organizer and StarTACphone have been designed to operate as individual, standalone units thateach furnish its own processor and power supply. Consequently, attachingthe units does not achieve the reduced size or cost desired in anintegrated combination.

For portable computing, the industry provides conventional laptopcomputers, such as those based on Pentium processors from IntelCorporation of Santa Clara, Calif. and Windows software from MicrosoftCorporation of Redmond, Wash., and mini-laptop computers, such asMicrosoft WindowsCE based devices, called Handheld Personal Computers(HPCs). The industry has also furnished palm-sized devices for personalinformation management and organization such as the Palm Pilot from 3ComCorporation of Santa Clara, Calif., and Microsoft WindowsCE-basedpalm-sized PCs.

To fulfill the portable entertainment needs of consumers, the computerindustry provides digital audio players, such as the Diamond MultimediaRio model made by S3, Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif. that plays MP3compatible audio content down-loaded from the Internet. Another portableentertainment device is the wireless system controller for homeentertainment systems provided by Harmon/Kardon International ofWoodbury, N.Y.

To fulfil both mobile computing and communications needs, a mobileworker has to carry two, and sometimes three devices—a smart phone unit,an organizer, and a laptop unit. Of course, if entertainment is alsodesired, the user must carry yet another device—the MP3 player. The userhas to purchase and maintain multiple units—charging multiple sets ofbatteries and synchronizing data from one with that of the other.Consequently, there is a need for a device that provides a completesolution for mobile computing, communication and entertainment withouthaving to own and maintain multiple units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide aportable processor based device for mobile computing, communication andentertainment without having to acquire and maintain multiple units.Such device works in much the same way as conventional laptop computers.However, in the current invention, the central processor, communicationcircuit, speaker, microphone, and power supply are carried in adetachable handset. The detachable handset unit functions as a wirelessphone unit. Also, by having its own display and keypad it can serve asan Internet appliance for email access and for downloading ofinformation from the Internet, such as electronic books, audio books,digital music, etc.

For applications requiring larger display and keyboard, the detachablehandset unit is docked into the main unit, the docking display unit. Inthis mode the detachable handset unit provides the processing and thecommunication power to the docking display unit. The combined unit issuitable for conventional computing such as Web word processing, andspreadsheet applications. The combined unit can also be used for readingdownloaded electronic books.

The detachable handset unit has additional functions. It can be used asa portable digital audio player in one of two ways. First, by plugging aheadphone into its jack, the user can listen to downloaded music oraudio books. Second, by docking into the docking display unit, thatcontains larger speakers, the downloaded music or other content can beplayed back in much the same way as done by a standard PC or a laptopcomputer. The detachable handset can be equipped with appointmentmanager software, thereby functioning as a clock radio by itself orwhile docked with the docking display unit.

The detachable handset can be equipped with infrared transceiver forproviding wireless optical communication with other compatible unitssuch as those compatible with IrDA standard. With suitable software thedetachable handset unit can be made to function as a remote control unitfor TV, VCR and other home entertainment systems and appliances. Theuser can pre-enter the desired program schedule once and thereafter havethe detachable handset select the channels automatically.

The docking display can be mounted in a vehicle, further extending thefunction of the mobile computing and communication device. Thedetachable handset may be fitted with a Global Positioning SatelliteSystem (GPS) capability. In that case when the detachable unit is dockedin the docking display, the combined unit serves as an auto PC, givingthe vehicle driver the location of the vehicle on a map on the largedisplay in much the same way as AutoPC reference design from Microsoft,with the exception that in the current case the detachable unit isusable in a plurality of applications.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention overexisting prior art forms will become more apparent and fully understoodfrom the following description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

In general, a portable computing, communication and entertainment devicein accordance with the present invention includes a detachable handsetunit and a portable docking display unit. The detachable handset unit issized for handheld grasping and includes a processor and a plurality offirst circuits, the processor controlling the operation of the firstcircuits. The portable docking display unit is dimensioned to receivedocking of the detachable handset unit and includes a first display anda plurality of second circuits. The processor controls the operation ofat least one of the second circuits and the first display when thedetachable handset unit is docked with the docking display unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary device in accordance withthe present invention for mobile computing, communication andentertainment. This view presents a front perspective view of adetachable handset unit and a top perspective view of a clamshell shapeddocking display unit having a partially open lid and base, andillustrates diagrammatically how exemplary electrical connectors in eachunit may engage and mate so that the units form a single combineddevice.

FIG. 2 is a cross section elevational view of the exemplary device shownin FIG. 1 with the detachable handset unit mated with the dockingdisplay unit.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram of the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the detachable handset unit.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1 whenmounted in a vehicle and in an operational configuration.

REFERRED EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

One embodiment of an exemplary device in accordance with the presentinvention for mobile computing, communication and entertainment, isillustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 and generally indicated by the numeral10. Device 10 includes a detachable handset unit 20 and a dockingdisplay unit 30.

Detachable handset unit 20 may also include an electrical connector 23that carries signals from the central processor 11 through videointerface 15, keyboard interface 16, communication interface 17,pen-input interface 51, audio interface 29, and power supply 14. As seenin FIG. 3, the docking display unit 30 does not include a centralprocessor, and one or more of the circuits of the docking display areoperated by the central processor 11 of the detachable handset unit.Mating electrical connector 36 in docking display unit 30 may thereforeconnect these signals to auxiliary display 31, auxiliary keyboard 32,wired communication circuit 33, auxiliary pen-input panel 44, speakers42 and microphone 43, and power-jack 35. Communication circuit 33 isconnected to communication jack 34 for further connection tocommunication lines such as the public switched telephone network orcell or other wireless network.

Docking display unit 30 includes a recessed platform 38, with anelectrical connector 36, a fixed tab 39 and a movable tab 41,retractable by latch 37. To dock detachable handset unit 20 into dockingdisplay unit 30, fixed tab 39 is slid into slot 24 with the front sideof detachable handset unit 20 facing platform 38. The other end ofdetachable handset unit 20 is brought down to have connector 23 ondetachable handset unit 20 mate with connector 36 of docking displayunit 30. Tab 41 is slid into slot 25 to secure detachable handset unit20 in place.

Docking display unit 30 is shown as a clamshell style unit, including anauxiliary display 31, in the lid portion and an auxiliary keyboard 32 inthe base portion, facing each other in the closed position. The lid ofdocking display unit 30 also contains a communication jack 34, such as astandard RJ-style telephone jack, and a power jack 35, such as an ACadapter/charger jack.

The block diagram in FIG. 3 shows detachable handset unit 20 including acentral processor 11, and the circuits supported and/or controlled byit, namely program memory 12, at memory 13, power supply 14, videointerface 15, keyboard interface 16, communication interface 17,pen-input interface 51, and audio interface 29. In turn, video interface15 drives display 18, the keyboard interface 16 drives the keypad 19,communication interface 17 drives wireless communication circuit 21,pen-input interface 51 drives the pen-input panel 52, and audiointerface 29 drives microphone 26 and speaker 27, and connects to theheadphone jack 28. Wireless communication circuit 21 is connected to theantenna 22. GPS receiver 58, such as that supplied by SiRF Technology ofSan Jose, Calif., is also connected to central processor 11.

Detachable handset unit 20 also includes an electrical connector 23 thatcarries signals from the central processor 11 through video interface15, keyboard interface 16, communication interface 17, pen-inputinterface 51, audio interface 29, and power supply 14. Mating electricalconnector 36 in docking display unit 30 connects these signals toauxiliary display 31, auxiliary keyboard 32, wired communication circuit33, auxiliary pen-input panel 44, speakers 42 and microphone 43, andpower-jack 35. Wired communication circuit 33 is connected tocommunication jack 34 for further connection to external wiredcommunication lines such as the public switched telephone network.

Detachable handset unit 20 may also contain an optical transmitter 54for transmission of remote control signals to TV, VCR, etc. Alternately,it may be equipped with an optical transceiver 53 for opticalcommunication with other compatible devices such as laptop computers,printers and network interfaces.

In another variation of the above embodiment the interface signalsconnecting the circuitry carried in detachable handset unit 20 anddocking display unit 30 may be multiplexed, using conventionalmultiplexing circuits, in order to reduce the number of interconnectsignals and hence reducing the size of connectors 23 and 36.

In another variation of the above embodiment, detachable handset unit 20may contain no display at all, like conventional cordless handsets. Inthis case central processor 11 will still drive the auxiliary display 31through the video interface 15, and video interface 15 may be housed indocking display unit 30, further reducing the size of detachable handsetunit 20.

FIG. 5 shows docking display unit 30 mounted on the floor of a vehicle70. The bottom end of a pedestal 60 is attached to the vehicle floor 70.Clamps 61 are attached to the top end of pedestal 60. Docking displayunit 30 can be removably mounted on pedestal 60 by sliding into clamps61. Alternately, docking display unit 30 may be fixed-mounted onpedestal 60 using bolts or other conventional methods. Detachablehandset unit 20 can then be docked in docking display unit 30 in thesame manner as in the other applications described hereinbefore.

The ordinarily skilled artisan should now appreciate that in this way aportable device for computing, communication and/or entertainmentdevice, can be created that has a detachable handset unit. When matedwith a docking display unit, the detachable handset unit becomes thecontroller for the entire portable computing, communication andentertainment device. The detachable handset unit is in a smallerhousing that is dimensioned for handheld grasping, and is sized to becarried in a pocket like an average cell phone. The docking display unitcarries an auxiliary, larger display and other components. The centralprocessor, carried in the detachable handset unit, and being used tooperate the docking display unit, must have enough processing power toadequately perform functions of an entire portable computing,communication and entertainment device, and not just the functions of awireless phone. Examples of commercially available processors adequatefor this task include the Intel StrongARM processor, the models SH-3 andSH-4 processors from Hitachi American, Ltd. of Brisbane, Calif., and themodel 4100 RISC processor from NEC America, Inc. of Irving, Calif.

As technology advances in the future, the Pentium processor from Intel,used in most laptop computers, may be used in other embodiments of thecurrent invention. The other components used in device 10 can be similarto those employed by traditional computing devices, communicationdevices and entertainment devices. Typical of these other componentsare: liquid crystal displays of small and large sizes from OptrexAmerica Inc. of Detroit, Mich., and Seiko Instruments USA, Incorporatedof Torrance, Calif.; memory chips from Micron Technologies, Inc. ofBoise, Id., VLSI Technologies wireless communication chips availablefrom Philips North America in Atlanta, Ga., power supply chips fromAnalog Devices Inc. of Norwood, Mass., and pen-input panels fromMicroTouch Systems, Inc. of Methuen, Mass.

Device 10 as described hereinbefore will require operating systemsoftware such as Microsoft Windows or WindowsCE. Off-the-shelfapplication software such as Microsoft Outlook, PocketWord, etc. can beused for various tasks. Alternately, the Java software platform from SunMicrosystems, Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif., can be implemented in device10. In this instance, Java applets can be downloaded into device 10 fromthe Internet via wireless communication circuit 21 or via wiredcommunication circuit 33.

Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to variations,modifications and changes in detail, some of which have been expresslystated herein, it is intended that all matter described throughout thisentire specification or shown in the accompanying drawings beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It should thusbe evident that a device constructed according to the concept of thepresent invention, and reasonably equivalent thereto, will accomplishthe objects of the present invention and otherwise substantially improvethe art of devices for mobile computing, communication andentertainment.

1. A portable processing device comprising: a detachable handset unitsized for handheld grasping and including a central processor and aplurality of first circuits, said processor controlling the operation ofsaid first circuits, and said first circuits including at least a videointerface, a communication interface and a data input interface; aportable docking display unit dimensioned substantially larger than saiddetachable handset unit, said portable docking display unit including afirst display and a plurality of second circuits, said plurality ofsecond circuits not including a central processor and including a videointerface, and a data input interface, and wherein said centralprocessor controls the operation of at least one of said second circuitsand said first display when said detachable handset unit is docked withsaid docking display unit; and the docking display unit is fullyoperable only when the detachable handset is docked thereto.
 2. Adevice, as set forth in claim 1, wherein control signals from thecentral processor are coupled by means of a first electrical connectorprovided on the detachable handset unit and said portable dockingdisplay unit further includes a second electrical connector forremovably engaging said first electrical connector when said detachablehandset unit and said portable docking display unit are docked.
 3. Adevice, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said detachable handset unitfurther includes at least one of a memory, a wireless communicationcircuit, a first microphone, a first speaker, and a power supply.
 4. Adevice, as set forth in claim 1, wherein detachable handset includes afirst speaker and microphone and said docking display unit furtherincludes a second speaker and a second microphone.
 5. A device, as setforth in claim 1, wherein said docking display unit includes a firstpen-input panel and said detachable handset includes a second pen-inputpanel.
 6. A device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said dockingdisplay unit is mounted in a vehicle.
 7. A device, as set forth in claim1, wherein said detachable handset unit includes a first keyboard andsaid docking display unit includes a second keyboard.
 8. A device, asset forth in claim 1, wherein said detachable handset unit includes aconnection for an external headphone.
 9. A device, as set forth in claim1, wherein said detachable handset unit includes at least one of anoptical transmitter and an optical transceiver.
 10. A device, as setforth in claim 1, wherein said detachable handset unit includes a GlobalPositioning System receiver.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein thedocking display is configured as a clamshell unit with first and secondportions, having the said auxiliary display in the first portion and anauxiliary keyboard in the second portion.
 12. The device of claim 11,wherein the auxiliary display and the auxiliary keyboard face oneanother when the clam shell unit is in the closed position.
 13. Thedevice of claim 11, wherein the docking display includes a recessedportion in which the handset is docked, wherein the handset when docked,is positioned on the back of one of the portions of the clam shell unit.